According to XDA-Developers, the Arch Linux main website was hit by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Christmas Day, December 25th. The attack has rendered archlinux.org completely unreachable for users connecting via the traditional IPv4 internet protocol. However, the site remains fully accessible and responsive for anyone who can connect using IPv6. The project’s status page and its extensive wiki, which are hosted separately, have not been affected and are still online. The Arch Linux team noted on their status page that resolution may take a while due to limited support from their hosting provider over the holidays.
IPv6 Lifeline and Holiday Targeting
Here’s the thing: this situation is a weirdly practical demonstration of IPv6 adoption. For years, we’ve been told IPv6 is the future, but a lot of home networks and even some ISPs still don’t have it fully enabled by default. So when a major site like Arch gets hit and IPv6 becomes the only way in, it instantly creates a two-tier internet. If you know how to flip that switch in your router or OS settings, you’re golden. If you don’t, you’re stuck waiting. It’s a stark reminder that the transition is still very much in progress.
And of course, the Christmas Day timing is classic. Attackers love holidays because skeleton crews are manning the fort. Everyone’s distracted, response times are slower, and you can cause maximum disruption with a higher chance of getting away with it for longer. The Arch team’s update basically says as much—they’re waiting on their hosting provider’s support, which is limited right now. It’s a low-risk, high-annoyance move from the attackers. But who even DDoSes Arch Linux? It’s not like they’re a bank or a streaming service. It feels petty.
Reliance and Resilience
This also highlights the smart architecture of the Arch project. The main site being down is a hassle, especially for new users trying to download the ISO. But the real treasure—the unbelievably comprehensive Arch Wiki—is still up. That’s where 90% of the actual problem-solving and learning happens. The wiki is arguably more critical to the ecosystem than the main download page. So while the attack is disruptive, it hasn’t completely crippled the community’s ability to function, which is a testament to how they’ve structured their services.
But let’s be skeptical for a second. The report says the site is “snappy” over IPv6. That’s good, but how long can that last? If the attackers are sophisticated, they’ll notice that too and might just adjust their botnet to also target IPv6 addresses. The current situation might just be a temporary reprieve. The real fix requires their hosting provider to implement proper DDoS mitigation at the network edge, which is what they’re presumably waiting for. Enabling IPv6 on your home connection is a workaround, not a solution.
Basically, if you were planning an Arch install today, you’ve hit a snag. But it’s a good reminder to always have a backup plan, like a local mirror or a known-good ISO on a USB stick. For an OS that teaches you to expect and solve problems, this is just another real-world lesson. A frustrating one, but a lesson nonetheless.
